Compensator switch



June 9, 1931. A. M. SKUDRE COMPENSATOR SWITCH Filed Aug. 31. 1929Patented June 9, 19 31 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARNOLD M. SKUDRE,01 WEST NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SUBMARINE SIGNAL COMPANY OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE ooinansa'roa swnoiiApplication filed August 81, 1929. Serial No. 389,726.

The present invention relates to an electrical switchin mechanism inwhich it is necessary to ad ust carefully the timing and operation ofthe switch, and more particularly to electric compensator switches whichare used in submarine signaling to determine the direction of a sourceof sound.

In systems for the determination of a source of sound, an electriccompensator is often used in connection with a plurality of soundreceiving devices. In such a system, the electric compensator connectsbetween the listeners telephones and the sound pickup device elements toretard the progress of the sound a definite amount so that the soundsfrom the various receivers coming to the listeners source arrive thereat the same time. Since the velocity of sound in water is about 4800feet per second, the increments of retardation are very small in such adevice. They usually are of the order of microseconds.

The compensator switch in such cases functions to insert theseincrements in various-receiver lines until the impulses arrive togetherat the ears of the observer or atthe indicating device. The insertion isusually in such a manner that the direction of the source can bedirectly read off from a scale as the switch is turned by having thescale associated with the switch. While the insertion of these elementsof retardation creates a definite lag, irrespective of when the switchcontacts vmay be closed, the reading of the compensator will not beaccurate ,unless the' closing or opening of the switch occurs when therelative position of the switch and scale is what it should be.

If, therefore, the contact does not open and close to insert'andtakeoutelements of retardation when the switch and the indicator associatedwith it are at the right position with reference to the scale, themeasurement will be in error, even though the retardation elements areaccurate. L

In the electric compensator of the type described in the presentinvention, a roller is brought under-the arm of each switch contact.This action raises the arm and breaks the contact at a definite positionof the roller and indicator associated therewith. The

present invention makes it a simple proposition to adjustthe contacts sothat this will occur at the desired time. Where the assemblyofcompensators employing this'type of switch formerly was a very exactingprocess and needed the most skilled help, the assembly using thepresentinvention is comparatlvely simple.

The invention will now be described in connection with the drawings, inwhich.

Figure 1 shows a plan view, 7

Figures 2 and 3 a detail side view, and

Figure 4 shows the switch elements in circuit.

In Figure 1 is shown an insulating disc 1, on which is mounted uniformlyabout a circumference the switch contact arms 2 and 3, as indicated inthe figure. The contacts 5 and 6 on the respective arms are normallyclosed, but may be opened when the roller 7 raises the upper contact arm3. The roller 7 is mounted on a rotatable ,shaft 8, concentric with thecircumference of the switch contacts mentioned above. This shaft carriesalso the wiping contact arms 9 and 10, which lead to the indicator orlisteners telephone from either side of the contact which is broken,

and connect through the contact 13 and the bracket 11 to the lowercontact arm 2.

In this manner, the indicator is connected in circuit from' points onboth sides when the line 14 is opened. In this system it' is usual tohave the impulses coming from both ends of the line, as shown in Figure4:, where at both ends there is an input, which may be the microphones15and 16, and for the indicator to be connected at the point where theline is broken. If, therefore, the line is broken more towards one endthan the other, there is less-retardation in the shorter section. As thebreak is shifted, the retardation in one section is increased as theother side is diminished.

As shown in Figure 1, there is provided a scale 17, which rotates withthe roller 7, and also a stationary indicator 18. The direction of thesource of sound is marked as thescale rotates with the roller by therelative position of the indicator and. scale.

. follows and rises with the arm 3. The contact, however, must be brokenbefore the arm Shas been raised its maximum, as otherwise it could notpositively be broken at all. The position of the roller at which thecontact is broken is dependent, therefore, upon the pressure between thetwo contact arms. This pressure is definitely adjustable by means of thescrew 12 through the hole 19 to give the arm 2 just the right tension.

When the arm 3, therefore, is raised by the movement of the roller 7,the contacts 5 and 6 begin definitely to rub against one an other and ata definite position of the roller 7 the contact is'broken. This definiteposition fixes the reading of the indicator on the scale within theaccuracy of the line of error.

In the present system it is, therefore, not necessary to bend the springarms and adjust and bend until the proper tension is obtained. It isonly necessary to adjust the screw 12 which may be done Without removingany of the elements. Moreover, the adjustment may be accurately andquickly made.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In an electric compensator for connecting retardation elementsbetween receivers and indicators, a group of switch contacts, meansforopening said switch contacts successively to vary the amount ofretardation connected between the indicators and the receivers, a scaleand pointer associated with said means to locate the position of saidmeans, and resilient means normally maintaining said switch contactsclosed and means adjusting the tension on said resilient means wherebythe point of opening of said contacts may be adjusted.

2. In an electric con'ipensator for connecting retardation clcn'ientsbetween receivers and indicators, a switch comprising two resilientcontact arms, a substantially nonrcsilient support adjacent one Of saidarms and adjustable means supported in said support and adapted to exerta tension on said arm by the adjustment thereof.

3. In an electric compensator for connecting retardation elementsbetween receivers and indicators, a switch comprising two rosilientcontact arms, a substantially nonresilient support adjacent one of saidarms, and means making contact with said arm and adjustable in saidsupport. for exerting the desired tension on said arm.

4. In an electric compensator for connecting retardation elementsbetween receivers and indicators, a switch comprising two rcmeans foropening sai switch contacts suecessively to vary the amount ofretardation connected between the indicators and the receivers,-a*scale.and pointer associated with a said means to locate the positionof said means, said switch contacts being mounted on resilient arms, asubstantiall non-re'silient support adjacent one of sai arms, andadjustable means tensioning said arm to said support to adjust therelative position of opening of said contact and said first named'means.

whereof I afiix mysignature.

In testimony I ARNOLD M. SKUDRE.

